The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1887-08-09

preserving themselves from error and
sin. The Israslites sojourning In
Egypt were, after the death Of
Joseph, visited by the Egyptians with
oppression and bondage. Every means
were taken to annihilate them. Yet
having compassion ON them, God sent
them a deliverer, Moses, by whose
guidance they would secure their
freedom, return to the land Of Israel
and have renewed lie. The thir-
teenth century bsholds coincidence
with these events In the history OF
man st this period and the life
OF st. Dominic. The state Of
the Christian world in the thirteenth
century was strange and appalling.
There arose In the chair OF Peter q
pontif, Innocent III, whose like Prov.
idsnce send in greatest need. In him
was resto ed the lofty mind and i'm
mortal efforts Of Pope Greg Try for the
liberty OF humanity, the welfare OF
society and the Church. Barbarian
invasions bad enawed into the very
vitals OF civilized nations; the heart Of
Christianity was broken with scbisms
and heresy. Ecclesiastical discipline
was scorned, and members Of the
grand eternal ministry OF the altar
threw scorn upon the sublimity oil
their calling. The World dashed on to
tue very chasm oi destruction. In
EQUITY was lost for newer depths. Re-
ligious society, like the stupendou
peak rocking from the burning crater
within its botom, was on the verge Ct
toppliog. over In terrible ruin. Civil
society shared the sane fate. Man was
divided against man, kingdom sgains,
kingdom; governments were rent In
shreds by internal discords; the scim
itsr Of the Saracen was seen glittering
In the falrest valleys OF southern Eu.
rope. His luxuries and even compsn-
iopship were basely enjoyed by one Of
the sons OF Ffance-RiymOnd OF Tou.
louise, traitor to man, his country aud
bis God. Stripes bad caused no awe
at sight Of blood. The whole world
was In chaos. On all sides were moral
and intellectual ruins. All were gui ty
OF error, guilty OF heresy; guilty Of
crime, guilty Of Gods wrath. The
political world exhausted signs for
deliverance and calm. The intellectual
world felt q fatal crisis at near ap.
prosch. Within 1t were the els.
ments from which might arise
terrible evils; 1t threatened to
fall into densest ignorance,
or burst into flames OF unbeliei. Now
was II needed that there should arise
q man gifted by God with those quail.
ities oil intellent and heart, q ting
him to be a molder Of thought and
feeling, molder Of people, molder
OF ma ions, q leader, another Moses.
Toe world cried for rescue, and Il
came. The illustrious 81. Dominic
appeared In the midst OF mans error
and distress and the ChuTch's need.
The flame OF bis charity, the illumina-
ton OF his intellect. the bright rave OF
his ssnctity, spreads over fallen hu-
manity. He comes as the angel OF
peace, as the messenger OF q brighter
future, the uuerrlng light eoatt ring
the darkness, the fite heating, temper
ing, enthuslng his followers. Where.
fore, then, ehould we not txalt and
praise st. Dlminic2 NJ Domioic wac
born OF noble parents Of the Gazmsn
family, In Old CASTLE, at the close oil
the twelfth century, about ITO. HE
was the happiness Of having as a
mother awomsn Of noble heart, mind,
and sancity. Surrounding his birth
were indications Of his future mission
and greatness. The dog with burn.
ing torch In his mouth. the star
that appeared in Dominic's forehead
at baptism, and the illumination that
seemed 10 surround his grand head
aud brow, oil these portended thai
there had come among men zone born
10 do great things" His youth wa,
spent, as naturally would be by child
OF Dominic's disposition, and one hGv
irg such q mother. IL was epent In
the requirement Of knowledge and ths
practice Of his religion. la youth
manhood aud cid age, science and 10
ligion went with him hand In hand
and he has taught his disciples TO do
likewise. Constantly wss he noted ioi
his desire of learning and constant
ly throughout bis life was b,
noted for his all embracing charity
How inconsistent would IL be, and how
ridiculous " lie, then, TO charge thai
81. Dominic should be the insttgatoi
Of the inquihitiop, or should ever hav,
direct connection with lite punish
ments. Thanks 10 the researches o
history and the perussl OF arcien
archives, NJ. Dominic and D1minicaul
can epurn the accusations OF blgotet
and ignorant men out OF the works o
their enemies, who TO their homo
were too sincere 10 falsiiy history, car
they today seek their vind'cation. 81
Dominic having choten the priesthood
M his vocation, made all effort to lul
III every law and counsel tn properly
prepare himself for that tublime call
Ing. Atsr his ordination, following
the example OF his Savior, HI
prepared himself for that iu,ur,
mission 10 which he felt himself i'm
PEELED. lie was the first In slnciity
charity aud humility. A )urnej
made by Dominic, In bis tnirtiett
year, In company with the Bishop o
Osma, on Official business, Was thu
| uthih VI ultClOtiuk w ouI bhiut ulh ~
loted mission. Travelling 10 Denmark
no traversed the southern portion o
France, and there bched the ieariu
deyas'a lion caused by the heiesy o
the Albigenses. His acute, maiur,
judgement quickly apprehendtd thu
terrible consequences Of this appalling
beresy. lie perceived that ihe idsidi
Gus measures OF the Albig' nses easily
allured many 10 their tenets. 30 fra
already was their position tina, ia
more than an armed crusade was TO
quired 10 disperse and overcome them
Thcy apparently were men Of propity
and sanctliy, expressing the practic,
Of strict morality, but once within
their fold the Initiated were permitted
the excess of licente. They OBJ
tained that sympathy and follow
Ing which 10 muAlly denied .
truer and better cause. Religion ant
Aocisiy, by their deeadence, only I'D
ded fuel 10 the flames OF this htrety
aud Il threatened 10 sweep over the
| a 80. -